Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 3/27/17

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK  
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg
6.0 n/a n/a n/a

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT    
VS ST A SS   
Topsoil Moisture 4 30 65 1   
Subsoil Moisture 6 27 66 1              
VS= Very Short   ST = Short   A = Adequate   SS = Surplus 

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX       
Barley 1 6 51 37 5       
Oats 1 4 33 60 2       
Pasture 2 16 43 38 1       
Wheat 0 9 26 60 5                   
VP = Very Poor  P = Poor  F = Fair  G = Good   EX = Excellent 

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS

Warmer than normal conditions followed by snow and cold temperatures have damaged some of the small grain crops. The county is still suffering from lack of rainfall and snow. Julia Houck – Ashe-Alleghany County Extension 

Freeze conditions the week prior has cause significant tip burn on small grain crop throughout region. Impact on crop loss is still being assessed. Dwayne Tate – Agronomist Region 12 

March has been relatively mild with overall temperatures above normal; however, we did have a cold snap mid-month that brought a small amount of snow and temperatures into the teens. Some limited freeze damage occurred primarily with strawberries, peaches, and blueberries; however, at this point it doesn't seem that damage is significant. The county received some decent precipitation this month with most areas receiving between 3"-4" for the month; however, subsoil moisture is still quite low. Pastures are greening up rapidly with the warmer conditions and spring fertilization. Field preparations for this year's crops is well underway. Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension 

Dry weather has limited the value of top dress N on small grain and forages. Last week’s 3 day freeze event has further damaged small grain. There is also concern that last week’s freeze will limit forage production. Tim Hambrick – Forsyth County Extension 

Hard Freeze on wheat the last two weeks reduced yields and damaged fields from severe to very little damage. Gary Cross – Person County Extension 

Lots of field work during this drier period. Growers looking to plant corn this week or by April 10.  Daniel Simpson – Pamlico County Extension 

Farmers busy ridging rows fumigating tobacco land. Sweet potato farmers establishing plant beds. Some pasture weed control taking place before crops are in the field. Also poultry litter being applied to pasture and hay land. According to Harnett Horticulture agent Matt Jones strawberry growers are still assessing damage from recent freezes, losses will vary depending on frost protection measures. Higher losses expected from growers who did not use row covers. High winds and below freezing temperatures caused significant damage for strawberry farmers who only used irrigation as frost protection.  Brian Parrish – Harnett County Extension

The cold snap really hurt peaches, but it seems like most of the blackberry varieties may have survived without too much damage. Some varying reports of damage to strawberries depending on the variety. Lots of fields have already been sprayed for corn and planting will probably get underway this week. A few showers over the weekend were much needed, but the ground is still really dry for this time of year. Stephen Bishop – Cleveland SWCD 

2017 has been very dry in Pender County. Little significant rain has fallen since early January. Unusually warm weather in February, followed by extremely cold weather in March has damaged or destroyed roughly 50-60 percent of Pender County's blueberry crop. Blueberries where no frost/freeze protection was available are a 100% loss. Strawberries had some damage and the small acreage of peaches grown are likely gone. Wheat growth was still in early stages so frost/freeze damage appears minimal. Many farmers are actively spraying for weed control to get ready for corn planting.  Mark Seitz – Pender County Extension 


Wheat and other small grains have been damaged by freezing temps. We reached lows of 20 degrees for over three hours. Small fruits have been lost due to cold temps. Blueberries have been damaged up to 75%. Strawberries were damaged up to 1520%. Franklin County is also in a moderate drought at this time. Fumigation for tobacco has started. Tobacco transplants are looking good in greenhouses and mowing plants has started. Charles Mitchell - Franklin County Extension  

The entire county remains abnormally dry. While there is no burning ban in place, residents are asked to use extreme caution when conducting outdoor burning. Randy Fulk – Stokes County Extension 

The recent cold weather hurt strawberries, peaches and blueberries, although there is still plenty of yield potential with the strawberry crop given the weather stays temperate. There are some burnt leaf tips in wheat due to the cold but the heads seem to be fine. Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7   

Strawberry harvest has begun for those who frost protected, and sales are reportedly very good. Growers who frost protected had varying success, and those with row covers seemed to fare best. Land continues to be worked for tobacco. Transplants look excellent. Zachary Taylor - Lee County Extension 

Hopefully cold weather is now behind us, berry crops have suffered the last few weeks. Wheat crop in the area appears to have escaped cold injury to the head for the majority of fields. Have confirmed powdery mildew to a wheat field. Corn growers may consider planting corn this week. Tobacco transplants look very good in the greenhouse overall. I do wish we had more moisture in fields, I'm always nervous when planting season starts out dry.  Roy Thagard – Greene County Extension 

Wheat that received liquid nitrogen fertilizer during February suffered some damage during the recent cold weather, but should recover fully. Strawberries suffered damage, but growers were able to work through the cold weather issues using covers and irrigation. Soil moisture is short across most of the county. Filed work is progressing. Cold weather has affected tobacco greenhouses, especially those without good air distribution fro heat sources. Diseases are showing up due to high humidity and low ventilation, and several growers have reported salt damage to seedlings. Paul Westfall – Granville County Extension 

Low night temperatures during the week of March 13, 2017 damaged some of the early oats that were starting to head. Cathy Herring – Central Crops Research Station

We have continued to receive small showers every few days, keeping small grains yield potential on the higher than avg side. Tim Britton – Johnston County Extension 

Corn planting has begun in Robeson after a significant cold snap came to the area the previous week. Assessments on wheat injury are continuing from three nights of temperatures below 28 degrees during that same cold snap. Other specialty crops such as peach and blueberry had the most significant injury with minor injury to strawberry thanks to frost covers and overhead irrigation. Mac Malloy – Robeson County Extension 

For the full report, click here.